Newbie Question

[LARGRA]

I have been having a problem with the pillows being dislodged and waking me up-should I think about a mask? or I turn on my side and dislodge them.(I have a thick 25 year old mustache- we have become good friends) I also have an allergy problem which keeps me stuffy nosed a fair bit of time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm almost tempted to Crazy Glue them in place-Just tell my boss it's a fashion statement!! My machine is set very close if not dead on for air so.....

[Pugsy]

I have always thought the mask shown in your profile would be problematic because of the fixed side positioning of the hose. Easily dislodged with movement. Have you tried one of the nasal pillow masks like I have in my profile? It rarely ever becomes dislodged with my tossing and turning.

[apneawho]

I use the Swift FX for her nasal pillows also and have had good experience.

[msradar65]

I would also consider the Swift LT. I have to agree if the Swift II is the mask you have the side hose can be difficult to work with if you are a side sleeper.

[LARGRA]

I have been having a problem with the pillows being dislodged and waking me up-should I think about a mask? or I turn on my side and dislodge them.(I have a thick 25 year old mustache- we have become good friends) I also have an allergy problem which keeps me stuffy nosed a fair bit of time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm almost tempted to Crazy Glue them in place-Just tell my boss it's a fashion statement!! My machine is set very close if not dead on for air so.....

Thank you all-I will have to try that style.
Have a good one

[robysue]

LARGRA,

Welcome to the board.

Since others have suggested a better designed pillows mask, I won't add anything.

But you also say:

I also have an allergy problem which keeps me stuffy nosed a fair bit of time.

Getting ahead of the allergies will be critical for adjusting to CPAP. Some folks find breathing the filtered air and using a heated humidifier helps their allergies. Others seem to find that the CPAP seems to aggravate them.

First and foremost: Make sure you have a fine filter installed on that CPAP of yours. The black washable foam filter just won't filter out the allergens.

Next get serious about doing everything you can to minimize the nasal congestion. I've written about what I do to handle nasal congestion on my blog. Go to Nasal Congestion and problems with CPAP to learn more about my regime for dealing with seasonal allergies and CPAP.

Finally a note: The machine in your signature is an old, out of date, and no longer manufactured machine. My guess is that your APAP actually the one shown in this link: REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex. If that's correct, you should update your profile with the right machine.

RANT ON Why oh why has Resprionics named every single PAP machine a REMSTAR? It seems to be an ongoing problem that newbies with the System One only see the word REMstar on the machine and assume it can't be the System One. RANT OFF

[archangle]

Is this the first mask you've tried? You usually get 30 days with a DME to exchange masks. I like my ComfortGel Blue Nasal mask. No fur on my upper lip, though.

If you have nasal congestion, you might need to get a full face mask. Nasal masks are preferable in my opinion, but if you can't breathe through your nose some nights, you need a full face mask. It might be worthwhile buying a full face mask just to use on "noseless" nights, even if you have to buy it out of pocket.

[LARGRA]

LARGRA,

Welcome to the board.

Since others have suggested a better designed pillows mask, I won't add anything.

But you also say:

I also have an allergy problem which keeps me stuffy nosed a fair bit of time.

Getting ahead of the allergies will be critical for adjusting to CPAP. Some folks find breathing the filtered air and using a heated humidifier helps their allergies. Others seem to find that the CPAP seems to aggravate them.

First and foremost: Make sure you have a fine filter installed on that CPAP of yours. The black washable foam filter just won't filter out the allergens.

Next get serious about doing everything you can to minimize the nasal congestion. I've written about what I do to handle nasal congestion on my blog. Go to Nasal Congestion and problems with CPAP to learn more about my regime for dealing with seasonal allergies and CPAP.
Thank You for the advice-yes I will have to get a handle on the congestion if I want this treatment to work.I will be getting a better filter and am strongly considering a full face mask.The nasal pillows seem to work until I get woke up then I'm wrestling with them the rest of the night. Much appreciated.
Finally a note: The machine in your signature is an old, out of date, and no longer manufactured machine. My guess is that your APAP actually the one shown in this link: REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex. If that's correct, you should update your profile with the right machine.

RANT ON Why oh why has Resprionics named every single PAP machine a REMSTAR? It seems to be an ongoing problem that newbies with the System One only see the word REMstar on the machine and assume it can't be the System One. RANT OFF